The first book in Eddings' Belgariad is immediately identifiable as a coming of age tale. Garion, who lives on Faldor's farm with his Aunt Pol, the head cook, is dragged on a mysterious quest with his aunt and an old storyteller who are soon identified as the millennia old sorcerer Belgaroth and his daughter Polgara. Garion is clueless and innocent, but he slowly begins to develop a variety of skills as he works with members of their party. Unfortunately, he may be tied with Harry Potter as the most inept gatherer of information known to man. It becomes clear readers that he is the heir to the Rivan throne, and yet despite picking up every other scrap of available information he remains oblivious to this.

The most difficult part of this series for me was Eddings' inability to write women. Polar, a 4,000 year old sorceress and one of the most powerful beings in existence, regularly spends her time chiding the men about drinking beer and ale. In the second book the next significant female character comes across as one of the most ridiculous, petty, and flat characters I've read about.

Eddings' strongest comeback lies with his side characters. Silk (aka Prince Kheldar of Drasnia, Ambar of Kotu, Radek of Boktor) is a singularly enjoyable character. He is consistently witty, sarcastic, and hilarious to follow. His skills as an assassin, spy, fighter, and merchant lead to his being central to some of the most memorable scenes. Hettar is similarly enjoyable, and the constant friendly banter, vices, and interests of these and future side characters are what convinced me to keep reading. ( )

Wikipedia in English (2)

"Eddings' BELGARIAD is exactly the kind of fantasy I like. It has magic, adventure, humor, mystery, and a certain delightful human insight."Piers AnthonyLong ago, the Storyteller claimed, in this first book of THE BELGARIAD, the evil god Torak drove men and Gods to war. But Belgarath the Sorcerer led men to reclaim the Orb that protected men of the West. So long as it lay at Riva, the prophecy went, men would be safe.But Garion did not believe in such stories. Brought up on a quiet farm by his Aunt Pol, how could he know that the Apostate planned to wake dread Torak, or that he would be led on a quest of unparalleled magic and danger by those he loved--but did not know...?